What to do in and around Höfn

HÖFN Í HORNAFIRÐI

Höfn í Hornafirði is a thriving community close to the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, in the south eastern part of Iceland. The district’s most densely populated area is Höfn. In this region you are located at the base of Vatnajökull, and the scenery is breathtaking. Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe, is situated in the community. In the last few decades tourism has grown enormously and has in fact become a major economic sector in the community. Diverse services are provided including hotels, camping sites, restaurants, shops, swimming pools, golf courses, marked hiking trails and various museums, such as maritime museum, two national park visitor centres and the centre of the great writer Þórbergur Þórðarson.

Höfn’s growth in the 20th century from a small village to today’s town was a result of the development of a relatively diverse fishing industry. The landed catch is now more varied than in other fishing towns, including high-value species such as the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). In recent years the town has promoted lobster as a central part of its image, for instance with a “lobster festival” that is held each summer. Höfn actually means harbour, though repeated dredging has proved necessary to keep the entrance of the harbour safe.

RING ROAD NR. 1

JÖKULSÁRLÓN DIAMOND BEACH

THE ÞÓRBERGUR CENTRE

HOFFELLSJÖKULL

LÓNSÖRÆFI

HÖFN VESTRAHORN

STAPAVÍK

HVALNES LIGHTHOUSE

BELJANDI

ICELANDIC WARTIME MUSEUM

PETRA´S STONE COLLECTION

FARDAGAFOSS

SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR

STÓRURÐ

EGILSSTAÐIR

SKRIÐUKLAUSTUR

VÖK BATHS

STUÐLAGIL CANYON

HÓTEL HÖFN

ÆGISSÍÐUFOSS WATERFALL

MOUNTAIN DÍMON

SELJALANDSFOSS & GLJÚFRABÚI

KATLA

DYRHÓLAEY

SKÓGAFOSS

REYNISFJALL

FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR

LANDMANNALAUGAR

LANDMANNAHELLIR

DÓMADALUR

LAKAGÍGAR

DVERGHAMRAR

SKAFTAFELL

SVARTIFOSS

FJALLSÁRLÓN

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AKUREYRI

REYKJAVÍK

ÆGISSÍÐUFOSS WATERFALL (368 km from Hótel Höfn) Ægissíðufoss waterfall is a well known fishing location on the river with its salmon ladder. The waterfall is magnificent all year round, as the flow is quite steady. Any changes to its flowrate can for the most part be attributed to spring thaws. A popular hiking trail lies from Hella down to Ægissíðufoss along the Ytri-Rangá river and is much used by both locals and visitors.

MOUNTAIN DÍMON(342 km from Hótel Höfn) The mountain is only 178 meters high and is a fun hike for both adults and children alike. Near the mountain a sign has been erected by the Saga Center of Hvolsvöllur which tells of battles fought in the area during the times of the settlement of Iceland in the most famous of Icelandic sagas, Njálssaga. Dímon has a sister mountain called Litli Dímon or Little Dimon. The name is thought to come from Latin, meaning twin mountains or two alike.

SELJALANDSFOSS & GLJÚFRABÚI(331 km from Hótel Höfn) A unique waterfall in the river Seljalandsá. It is 60 meters high with a walking path behind it at the bottom of the cliff. Seljalandsfoss is very picturesque and therefore popular among photographers.

Access to the waterfall is from the farm Seljaland. A little further to the west several more waterfalls can be seen. Among them Gljúfrabúi which is partially hidden in its own canyon. Access to it is from the farm Hamragarðar along the road, east of Markarfljót.

KATLA(223 km from Hótel Höfn)

Katla Geopark includes geological features of global significance. Over 150 volcanic eruptions have been recorded in the area since the 9th century. The lava from these eruptions created the landscape and influenced where people settled. Through the centuries, man and nature have affected the region’s history. The area is constantly changing due to the volcanic activity. The oldest bedrock in the area is about 2.5 million years old, and can be found at the base of Lómagnúpur, an old sea cliff (671 m).

DYRHÓLAEY(290 km from Hótel Höfn)

Dyrhólaey is a 120 m high promontory. The place got its name from the massive

arch that the sea has eroded from the headland. (The name literally means

“door-hole”). When the sea is calm, big boats can sail through it. There has even been an extremely daring pilot that flew

through the arch in a small aircraft! The view from the top of Dyrhólaey is outstanding. The headland is thought to have been made in an underwater volcanic eruption late in the glacial

period, not unlike the eruption of Surtsey.

SKÓGAFOSS(305 km from Hótel Höfn)

Only a few kilometres away from the

south shores of Iceland lies the village of Skógar along the Southern Ring Road. It is a popular summer resort surrounded

by unusually beautiful scenery. The greatest attraction of Skógar is of course the beautiful 60 metre high Skógafoss. An old legend tells of the settler Þrasi who is said to have buried his chest of

gold under the waterfall.In sunny weather one is likely to see a rainbow in front of the waterfalls. The path leading to the top of the waterfall

continues along the river upstream where numerous beautiful waterfalls of

sheer beauty are to be found.

REYNISFJALLREYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH(273 km from Hótel Höfn)

Reynisfjall is a 340 m high tuff mountain that was formed in a subglacial volcanic eruption during the penultimate Ice Age, located near the village of Vík.Alternating in an irregular manner are layers of tuff, pillow lava and columnar basalt veins and loops. Reynisdrangar stacks are a collection of 66 m high rock pillars that rise out of the sea and are of the same type of geological formation as Reynisfjall. On Reynisfjara beach a very beautiful basalt formations in the south part of the mountain can be seen and there you will find an exceedingly beautiful cave called Hálsanefshellir.

FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR(209 km from Hótel Höfn) Fjaðrárgljúfur is a magnificent and massive canyon that stands at about 100 m deep and two km long. The canyon has sheer walls and is somewhat serpentine and narrow. The bedrock in Fjaðrárgljúfur is mostly palagonite formed during cold periods of the Ice Age and is thought to be about two million years old.

The river Fjaðrá runs through the canyon and when the waterflow is low hikers can safely choose to walk inside the canyon. Most people choose to walk along a walking path up on the canyon’s edge while simultaneously enjoying the view.

LANDMANNALAUGAR(297 km from Hótel Höfn)

Landmannalaugar derives its name from

a hot pool that runs from underneath the Laugahraun lava field and has

been a resting stop for travellers, for centuries. The landscape is unique and

famous for its diverse colours. Many beautiful mountains can be seen from Landmannalaugar: Barmur, Bláhnúkur,

Brennisteinsalda, Suðurnám and Norðurnám. The most popular hiking

trail in Iceland, Laugavegurinn, starts in Landmannalaugar.

LANDMANNAHELLIR(320 km from Hótel Höfn) The name of Landmannahellir is drawn from a cave which was used for centuries to shelter both men and horses. At present, the location is a popular stop for both hikers and riders who stay there during the summer.

LAKAGÍGAR AND LAKI(243 km from Hótel Höfn)

Lakagígar is a row of craters, formed in one of the world’s largest mixed eruptions in recorded history. The craters are regarded as a globally unique phenomenon and are as such a protected natural monument.

In 1783, a huge lava flow streamed from Lakagígar in what became known as the “Skaftár Fires.” This is believed to have been one of the greatest lava flows in a single eruption in the history of the world.

DÓMADALUR(304 km from Hótel Höfn) A valley at the west side of Dómadalshraun lava field. It has a small lake with brown trout in it. F225, Dómadalsleið lies through it. In former times this was the meeting point for people coming from two counties in the flatland, separated by strong rivers (dómur=judgement).

DVERGHAMRAR (188 km from Hótel Höfn)

Dverghamrar is formed out of peculiar and beautiful formations of columnar basalt. On top of the columns there is cube-jointed basalt. The landscape is thought to have been moulded at the end of the Ice Age. The sea level was

higher at that time and it is believed that the waves caused the peculiar look of the rocks. Dverghamrar is a protected natural monument. Columnar basalt is formed when lava flow cools down

and contraction forces build up. Cracks then form horizontally and the extensive fracture network that develops results in

the form of hexagonal columns.

SKAFTAFELL(136 km from Hótel Höfn)

Scenic nature, favorable weather conditions and a network of hiking

trails makes Skaftafell an ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities

in Icelandic nature. Short and easy trails lead to the waterfall Svartifoss and Skaftafellsjökull glacier, but for those who want to reach further out

Morsárdalur valley and Kristínartindar mountain peaks are perfect in terms

of distance and labour. Skaftafell is the perfect base camp for those who seek to climb Iceland’s highest mountain peak,

Hvannadalshnúkur.

Private travel companies operate in Skaftafell and offer guided hikes on the

nearby glaciers and mountains. Also, on offer are sightseeing flights over

Vatnajökull glacier and other renowned attractions.

Hótel Höfn was founded in 1966 and built with great ambition and was a real breakthrough in tourism in the Hornafjörður area. New owners and management took over in 2016 and have put tremendous work in renovating this lovely hotel.Hótel Höfn offers 68 rooms in three buildings and two dining rooms. The dining room on the second floor can seat 100 people and restaurant Ósinn can seat up to 50.

HÓTEL HÖFN

Hótel Höfn is located in Höfn í Hornarfirði: A fishing village on the south eastern coast of Iceland, famous for its delicious lobster. A charming hotel with a friendly atmosphere and a beautiful view of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Hótel Höfn is the perfect place to stayon your travel through the south and east of Iceland.

FJALLSÁRLÓN (90 km from Hótel Höfn)

The majestic Fjallsárlón is a glacier lagoon at the south end of the glacier Vatnajökull. On the lagoon, you can see floating icebergs that calve from the edge of the glacier. Guided boat tours are offered on the lagoon that give an opportunity to learn about and get in touch with Icelandic natural forces.

SVARTIFOSS (136 km from Hótel Höfn)

A short walk into Skaftafell National Park in South Iceland provides visitors with a breathtaking view of Svartifoss (Black Falls). The waterfall tumbles down 20 metres (80ft) over a cliff which is bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns, resembling pipes of a giant organ, which is where the waterfall gets its name. This wonder of natural architecture inspired the design for Iceland’s National Theatre and the Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik.

JÖKULSÁRLÓNDIAMOND BEACH(80 km from Hótel Höfn)

The main lagoon measures about 20 km2 (7 square miles) and was until 1932 covered in thick glacial ice.

Since then the glacier started to slowly retreat and nowadays more than 100 m (300 feet) of ice breaks away each year to reshape the lagoon and fill it with

spectacular icebergs.

Jökulsárlón has been a part of the Vatnajökull National Park since 2017. The lagoon is open to the

sea and so contains a mixture of salt and freshwater, giving it a unique blue green color. During the winter there are hundreds of seals and the lagoon supports

many species of fish including krill, herring, trout and, occasionally, salmon.

HOFFELLSJÖKULL (23 km from Hótel Höfn)

Driving or hiking north from Hoffell along the sands of Hoffellssandur you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of mountain slopes carved out by earlier glaciers. Along the way, there is also a borehole, constructed to extract geothermal water. Finally, you reach the ice of the glacier tongue, Hoffellsjökull, skirted by the numerous hiking trails of the Geitafell mountain.

THE ÞÓRBERGUR CENTRE(66 km from Hótel Höfn)

It was established in memory of the famous Icelandic writer Þórbergur Þórðarsson (1888 - 1974), who was born in Hali in Suðursveit. The centre includes a heritage museum and unique exhibitions of the district and the life and work of the writer.

LÓNSÖRÆFI(35 km from Hótel Höfn)

The Stafafellsfjöll mountains dominate the skyline east of Vatnajökull glacier and have long included one of Iceland’s most extensive protected areas, known as Lónsöræfi. Besides the deep and rugged canyons, the landscape displays a wide range of colours due to rhyolite and other attractive rocks. In contrast, there are lushly vegetated, sheltered valleys and a good chance of spotting reindeer. Numerous trails make this a perfect hiking territory.

STAPAVÍK(59 km from Hótel Höfn)

The historical trading point of Krosshöfði, by Stapavík inlet, lies in a magnificent setting. The trail starts above the farmstead of Unaós. In the early 20th century this trading point was important for the broad valley of Fljótsdalshérað, and goods were brought ashore in the inlet until the late 1940s when a road was built over the mountain range to Borgarfjörður Eystri which offers excellent harbor facilities.

HÖFN VESTRAHORN(13 km from Hótel Höfn)

Vestrahorn, Vesturhorn or Stokksnes, these are all names for this same place. The area is approximately a ten minute drive away from Höfn. It is an interesting geological site composed of unstratified plutonic rock, mostly gabbro but with some granophyre. East of the mountain is a uniquely shaped outcrop called Brunnhorn that stretches out to sea. You can feel the power of the Atlantic Ocean as the waves hit the rocky shore with massive force.

HVALNES LIGHTHOUSE(50 km from Hótel Höfn)

Hvalnes (Whale Point) is a rocky headland with a lighthouse, offering

a convenient viewpoint over the ocean and surrounding mountains, composed of dark gabbro and pale granophyre, which account for the

different bands of color.From Hvalnes you can walk down to the beach and a nature reserve, with unusual species such as oyster plant, whose bright blue flowers and grey

leathery leaves grow among the pebbles.

BELJANDI(166 km from Hótel Höfn)

Near the farm Brekkuborg by Breiðdalur valley you will find the waterfall Beljandi in river Breiðdalsá. It consists of two waterfalls. The area is a feast for the eye and a pleasant option for outdoor activities.

ICELANDIC WARTIME MUSEUM(229 km from Hótel Höfn)

At the Icelandic Wartime Museum, you can travel back to the days of the 2nd World War and the military occupation of Reyðarfjörður. The museum gives a vivid insight into life during the war. The focus is on the impact of the occupation on the Icelandic people.

PETRA´S STONE COLLECTION(182 km from Hótel Höfn)

Petra María Sveinsdóttir started to collect stones in 1946, mostly in Stöðvarfjörður and other places in East Iceland. She opened her home in 1974 for all those that were interested in her stones and her collection is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Iceland. Petra s house has slowly acquired the appearance of a nature museum, but first and foremost, it s a home.

FARDAGAFOSS(259 km from Hótel Höfn) The scenic Fardagafoss waterfall is situated close to the main road to Seyðisfjörður as it winds its way up the mountainside of Fjarðarheiði, about 5 km from Egilsstaðir. The ascent from the parking area to the waterfall takes about 30 minutes. Underway you can enjoy the beautiful gorge and view over the whole valley. The last stage of the trail is not an easy walk with a chain fastened into the cliff to get down to the water. But it s worth it.

SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR(281 km from Hótel Höfn)

Seyðisfjörður, a narrow fjord carved by the ice age glacier and a home to approximately 700 residents, is distinguished by excellent harbor

facilities and Norwegian heritage. The colorful Norwegian-style wooden houses

dating from the early years of the 20th century render this village unique in

Iceland. Walking trails around town, out along the coast, or by the Fjarðará River, allow for many pleasurable and relaxing

experiences.During summer, Seyðisfjörður offers a thriving arts scene, with visiting artists

and growing community of artists residents. The Skaftfell Cultural Centre

contains works by some of these, including the Swiss-German artist and former resident of Seyðisfjörður, Dieter

Roth (1930-1998).

STÓRURÐ(311 km from Hótel Höfn)

One of East Iceland’s most illustrious spots is Stórurð. It consists of gigantic tuff boulders, charming meadows, and attractive ponds. This wonderful place

can be reached in 2.5 hours on foot from Vatnsskarð pass.

EGILSSTAÐIR(256 km from Hótel Höfn)

Egilsstaðir is the service and trade centre of East Iceland. Publicservices include the largest Upper Secondary school in East Iceland as wellas the continuing and university education opportunities offered throughthe East Iceland Knowledge Network. The municipality offers various sports- and social facilities, i.e. a fully equipped thermal outdoorswimming pool. Convenient location at busy crossroads and next door tointernational ferry harbour Seyðisfjörður further enriches the localatmosphere and adds versatility and colours to everyday life in East Icelandbusiest town.

SKRIÐUKLAUSTUR CENTRE OF CULTURE & HISTORY (295 km from Hótel Höfn) Skriðuklaustur is the former home of the famous author Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975). Since 2000 it has been open as a centre of culture & history with various activities and exhibitions along with a museum about the author. The house itself is one of Iceland’s most treasured building donated to the Icelandic nation by the author in 1948. It was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger.At Skriðuklaustur you can also have a look at the ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery from the 16th century, accessible all year round.

VÖK BATHS(261 km from Hótel Höfn)

Vök Baths is a geothermal destination on the beautiful Lake Urriðavatn.

Located only 5-kilometres northwest of Egilsstaðir, the largest settlement in the East, Vök Baths is an essential stop on

any visit to this part of the country.

STUÐLAGIL CANYON(327 km from Hótel Höfn)

In the valley Jökuldalur there is a marvellous natural site that almost nobody knew about until recently.

For a long time, it was hidden under water or until the hydroelectric plant Kárahnjúkavirkjun was built and the

waterflow in the glacier river Jökulsá á Dal, a.k.a. Jökla, was greatly reduced. Stuðlagil Canyon has one of the biggest

and most beautiful basalt columns formation in Iceland.

Hótel HöfnVíkurbraut 20

780 HornafjörðurIceland

Tel: 354 478 1240www.hotelhofn.is

Email: info@hotelhofn.is

Publisher: Hótel Höfn

Design: Kkatla Grafísk hönnun

Photos: Austurbrú, Gunnar Sverrisson,

Páll Jökull Pétursson, Þorvarður Árnason

Text: www.east.is, www.fjallsarlon.is, www.icelandtravel.is,

www.katlageopark.com, www.outdoorproject.com, www.south.is, www.visiteskifjordur.is,

www.visitvatnajokull.is

Print: Ásprent